Our successful pilot eventually led to the establishment of this law shop, in collaboration with IXA's network and supported by the Amsterdam Law Hub and Pro Bono Connect.

This pilot included: monthly themed sessions on legal topics where startups and NGOs were paired with both legal professionals and law students. This dual approach ensured that startups first received advice from experienced legal professionals, followed by detailed additional advice from students based on research and legal design methods.

The sequel: corporatisation of the Startup & Stichting Rechtswinkel. To further improve accessibility, these clinics will therefore be replaced by bi-monthly themed meetings at law firms and at our Law Hub. This will reduce costs for the Law Hub and increase networking opportunities between startups and legal professionals.

Goals

The goals of the Startup & Stichtingen Rechtswinkel:

• Improved access to affordable legal advice.
• Easing the legal process.
• Development of a long-term sustainable project model.
• Setting up partnerships between lawyers and students.
• Helping startups make well-informed decisions, reducing the likelihood of negative, business situations.

Activities

• Pro Bono Connect coordinates the lawyers for the law clinic. This includes:
  1. Matching lawyers to startups on a monthly basis.
  2. A bi-monthly collaboration with law firms on specific legal topics.
  3. Communication between law firms and startups.
  4. Event management at the clinics.
• An annual kick-off event, called Incuboater, where clinics take place on a boat in Amsterdam's canals. Very popular with both legal professionals and startups.
• Bi-monthly lunch and learn sessions as part of the clinics.
• A Legal design session to teach law students the basics of legal design to improve the quality of advice.

Impact numbers

• Monthly clinics at the Law Hub, with each clinic focusing on a legal theme.
• Bi-monthly themed clinics at law firms.
• On-site engagement. This involves regularly sending students to Amsterdam Venture Studios locations for 'preventive' legal discussions. 
• All this results in: more comprehensive legal advice through the cooperation between students and lawyers. In addition, it creates learning opportunities for students.